Liverpool avoid European hangover to see off Bournemouth

After securing their place in the semi-final of Europe's premier club competition thanks to a stunning 5-1 aggregate victory over rivals Manchester City, many would have expected Liverpool to take the foot off the gas in the league.

That wasn't the case though as they dominated the first-half of their home game against Bournemouth, needing just seven minutes to open the scoring. 

An inch-perfect pass from Jordan Henderson found Sadio Mane in the box who headed the ball at goal. Opposing goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was down fast to save it but couldn't prevent the Senegalese forward from powering home the rebound. 

It brought up Mane's 44th league goal, making him the highest-scoring Senegalese player in the Premier League's history and Liverpool had a host of chances in the first 45 minutes to add to their lead.

Begovic was forced to save a curling free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold and a Mohamed Salah shot in quick succession whilst a diving header from Mane whistled past the post.

Eddie Howe's side were lucky to go into the break only trailing by one, having only managed one shot on goal, and found themselves two goals down in the 68th minute.

Alexander-Arnold whipped in a fierce cross from the left-hand wing, putting it on a plate for Salah to head over Begovic, bringing up his 30th league goal of the season to become the first African player to achieve such a feat.

 

14 April 2018

The second goal fired the visitors into life though and Loris Karius was forced into action to prevent a Dan Gosling shot from ruining his clean sheet.

Josh King then came close as his fired shot across the face of the goal went inches wide of the far post.

However, Liverpool would secure victory when Roberto Firmino slotted home their third of the day to make sure all of the attacking trident wrote their name on the scoresheet.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain found his Brazilian team-mate in the box, who then broke free from his marker to fire a low shot through a defender's legs and into the back of the net.

 

14 April 2018

The win cements Liverpool's place in the Champions League qualifying spots as they move to third, one point behind of Manchester United in second who play West Brom on Sunday.